The Doris Day Animal Foundation, established in 1978 by legendary actor and singer Doris Day, has a mission “to help animals and the people who love them.”

The foundation describes this mission as “straightforward.” And on the surface, it is. But in addition to prioritizing programs that rescue and adopt animals, the foundation acknowledges an interest in programs that also demonstrate "a significant human element.”

This includes a current focus on senior companion animals, and on programs that assist with their food, care and veterinary costs. In other words, it’s not just people who “love” animals, it’s about people who need them too.

Grant coffers of the Doris Day Animal Foundation are modest, both in number of grants and amounts per grant. In recent years, only eight grants have been awarded annually, with most of them going to repeat grantees. The foundation states that awards rarely exceed $5,000, though its giving history shows much larger amounts, so perhaps this is a new policy.